Basics of 2D Barcodes
Learn about the history and the most common types of 2D barcodes.
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Short history of 2D barcodes
Two-dimensional (2D) barcodes have a relatively short history that has revolutionized the way we encode and transmit information. The first 2D barcode was developed in 1994 by a Japanese corporation, Denso Wave. This barcode was called the Quick Response (QR) code.
The QR code was designed to encode more information than traditional 1D barcodes by using a two-dimensional matrix of black and white squares. This allows it to store up to several hundred times more data.
The QR code’s ability to store more data and its ease of scanning with a smartphone camera quickly gained popularity in Japan and other Asian countries. From the start, QR codes were used for everything from advertising to inventory management. However, it wasn’t until the mid-2000s that 2D barcodes began to gain traction in the West, thanks in part to the widespread adoption of smartphones.
Today, 2D barcodes are used in a wide range of applications, including advertising, transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing. They provide a more diverse and efficient way to store and transmit information than traditional 1D barcodes. For example, a QR code can be used to direct a user to a website, ...